Our Commissioner

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Commissioner Michael Phelan

Michael Phelan APM

Mr Phelan has been appointed as the Acting NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commissioner.

Mr Phelan was appointed Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (ACIC) and Director of the Australian Institute of Criminology (AIC) in November 2017. Mr Phelan completed his terms of appointment in November 2022.

As ACIC CEO, Mr Phelan was responsible for management and administration of Australia’s national criminal intelligence agency overseeing intelligence operations and specialist capabilities, and ensuring delivery of national policing information systems and services to partners. As Director of the AIC, Mr Phelan was responsible for leading Australia’s national research and knowledge centre on crime and justice.

Mr Phelan has had an extensive career in law enforcement, beginning in 1985 when he was first appointed to the Australian Federal Police (AFP). Throughout his career, he has worked in a variety of fields, including community policing, narcotics and serious fraud.

In 1998, Mr Phelan was appointed Chief Executive Officer of the AFP Association for two years, before taking up a position as the AFP’s Senior Liaison Officer in Manila, Philippines. In 2002, he was promoted to the Senior Executive Service in the AFP’s Brisbane Office.

Mr Phelan was appointed Director of the Australian High Tech Crime Centre in 2004, and was promoted to Assistant Commissioner later that year, undertaking the role of National Manager Border and International Network. In September 2007, Mr Phelan was appointed as the Chief Police Officer for the Australian Capital Territory where he was responsible for the delivery of all policing services to the ACT.

In 2010, he was promoted to Deputy Commissioner. Across multiple roles at this level, Mr Phelan had oversight of the AFP’s High-Tech Crime, Forensics, Intelligence, Serious and Organised Crime, Counter‑Terrorism and Protection Operations portfolios.

Mr Phelan has previously held positions on the Boards of the Australian Crime Commission, Crimtrac and the Australian and New Zealand Police Advisory Agency. Mr Phelan also served as a member of the ACT Law Reform Advisory Council and the Australian National Advisory Council on Alcohol and Drugs (ANACAD).

In 2008, Mr Phelan was awarded the Australian Police Medal.

He also holds a Degree in Commerce, an Honours Degree in Law and Masters in Business Administration.